We've made the turn from last week's hole-by-hole description of the front nine on Old Macdonald. In case you missed Tom Doak's thoughts on holes one through nine, click the link at the bottom of the page! Enjoy the back nine and don't forget to comment on your favorites below!

10. "Bottle” -- As at Macdonald's eighth hole at National Golf Links, two sets of fairway bunkers narrow the driving zone, forcing you to make a carry to the left side of the fairway or funnel into a narrow area in the right side of the hole. The second shot is one of the most difficult on the course, with the green sitting well up above the fairway and not much room through the back; chipping from the base of the green for your third is the best way to avoid a big score, while par is a great score. Precedent: Sunningdale (Old) #12, National Golf Links #8.

11. "Road” -- The line of the fairway and green here are almost identical to the famous Road hole at St. Andrews. Although the tee shot is visible instead of blind, a long drive down the very right of the hole opens up an angle to the green; any approach played from the left or center is threatened by the deep revetted bunker at the left, and a bank falling away at the back right. Precedent: St. Andrews #17, National Golf Links #7, Piping Rock #8.

12. "Redan” -- The most-imitated hole in the world is the par-3 15th at North Berwick, Scotland, known as the Redan, after a Crimean War fortress in Russia which was in the news when it was built. The plateau green runs away from a high shoulder at the right front to the back left, with a deep bunker guarding the left flank of the green. Our Redan is a bit different; the left bunker does not come across the front of the green as far as would be typical for the hole, but the bank of the green feeds short balls out to the bunker. Only a straight fade will work here. Precedent: North Berwick #15, National Golf Links #4, Chicago Golf Club #7.

13. "Leven” -- One of Macdonald's favorite short par-4 holes was at the old Leven Golf Club, whose course has since been split in two; the hole is now the 16th at Lundin Links, Scotland, a few miles south of St. Andrews. The hole is almost drivable, but the green falls away dramatically from the base of a big dune at its front left, down toward the right; so you would like to play your second shot from the right-hand side back up into the slope. Precedent: Lundin Links #16, Chicago Golf Club #5, National Golf Links #17.

14. "Maiden” -- This short par-4 climbing up to an elevated green is named after the famous Maiden at Royal St. George's, the largest dune on any of the Open Championship links. The original Maiden hole was a blind par-3 over the dune which Macdonald sharply criticized, however he admired the size and scale of the hill. The green has elevated wings at the left and back right which demand a precise approach; the nature of the approach can be altered by driving well out to the right, so that the green lays out from front to back. Precedent: none.

15. "Westward Ho!" -- This long par-5 plays back into the setting sun to a green up on the primary dune, overlooking the ocean. The heaving contours of the fairway are like ocean swells; the key shot is the second, which must either get past a deep bunker on the right or be aimed safely short and left of it, which makes the uphill third shot much more difficult. The green is sharply two-tiered, so the correct length of the approach is paramount. Precedent: National Golf Links #18.

16. "Alps” -- Macdonald's third hole at National Golf Links was not just an homage to the Alps at Prestwick, but an improvement on the hole -- instead of making the approach over a dune completely blind, his arrangement of the hole allowed a long drive down the right to get a peek at the green, while allowing a way around the dune for short hitters trying only to play the hole in three installments. Our version is faithful to Macdonald's hole, except that we left a narrow open approach for blind shots from the left, instead of building a bunker all the way across that line as at Prestwick and National. Precedent: Prestwick #17, National Golf Links #3.

17. "Littlestone” -- One of Macdonald's most daring ideas came from the par-4 16th at Littlestone, England. The hole in his day was a long dogleg to the left, but Macdonald imagined an alternate fairway among the dunes on the direct line to the hole, which would enable daring players to cut the corner and get home in two. His version of the hole was the par-5 fourth hole at Lido Golf Club, Long Island, a great course which closed its doors in the Depression. On our seventeenth, driving over a small wetland yields an open approach to the green, but the carry is so long that most players will have to be content with playing away to the left off the tee and taking a three-shot route home. Precedent: Littlestone #16, Lido #4.

18. "Punchbowl” -- Many greens on Scottish links were hidden away in natural bowls between the dunes. Macdonald had a very stylized version of this concept, with a huge green surrounded by small hills sweeping down from left to right; our home green is an outsized version of the Macdonald concept, so that the scale and drama of the course will stay with you right until the last putt is holed. Precedent: Chicago Golf Club #12, The Creek #6.

Comments (8)

Louie on Oct 19, 2015

Nice to see that the Old MacDonald is still as neat and as stunning as it used to be. I went there in 2013 and really enjoyed it. I played with my grandparents as a surprise visit and my travel is all worth it!
Louie of http:///www.simplegolfswing.net

Doug H on Nov 17, 2015

Seve would have loved this course -- swing away and let the chips fall where they may. Its my favorite by far. Once you play the back nine, you will Never Forget this layout. Its doable with a mild wind, sublime with a stiff one.
The #10 green is majesticness itself -- google doesn't like that word, and the green is as unique -- sheerly triumphant, bold beyond description. Bring your balls along Sonny, you are going to need them, as the course soars through the remaining 8 holes.
Hit a few brave shots here and your mind will be so rewarded with brilliant memories -- loose your nerve and you will be shown the abysmal mental pit.
If your thing is great golf on unbelievable golf courses, this is the place, it just doesn't get any better, especially if you like it swashbuckling.
Be courageous or go somewhere else...

Scott N on Feb 1, 2016

Having been lucky enough to play all courses at BDGR, I find OM the most penal and yet the most fun. EVERY serious single digit handicap golfer who has played here adores this course.
BDGR should really think about promoting or positioning this course to low digit single handicap golfers who need a real challenge - especially in the wind and/or mist. Sadly, not enough visitors take the time to play OM.
It's easy to see why: a) The approach shots into the greens are the most penal because of the green contours relative to the pin positions, b) The layout and character of each hole is so interesting and yet authentic to links golf, c) The course is virtually unprotected from the elements, and d) It really forces one to think his way around the course, yet remains fun and challenging at the same time. If you are visiting BDGR, you really MUST play OM; you will be amazed. OM is the unsung hero of BDGR!
This course should be higher ranked on the list of top 100 public courses in the US and in the world -- it is that good. Outstanding work, Mr. Doak!

Bandon Dunes Staff on Feb 3, 2016

Thanks for the comment Scott!

Rory S on Mar 29, 2017

I visited BDGR in 2013 and was able to play all 4 golf courses. Old Mac was definitely my favorite. Bandon Dunes and Pacific Dunes are great and get most of the publicity due to their proximity to the Ocean, but Old Mac is a true links gem. GIANT fairways and big undulating greens, I liken it to a links playground. Playing in the summer wind, the course is a real test and challenges you to think about different shots and approaches for the holes. Highlights for me: i) Utilizing the wind to drive the green on #3, ii) the incredible second shot into 7 and the reward of your view upon reaching the green, iii) chipping a 6 iron from 137 yards on 18 to use the slope on the left and run the ball close to the hole. Old Mac and BDGR as a whole) is such a refreshing change from typical American Golf. A must play!

Chris H on Feb 13, 2018

We were rained out on OM after 6 holes but decided to go back on our last day. The course was too good for me but I had one highlight on the 16th "Alps" when I banged an 8 iron over the top of the sand dune to 5 feet from the pin. Boy did I feel great after that shot.

Mark on Feb 14, 2018

Old Mac has always been my favorite of the courses at BD. The beginning stretch 1-3 is one of my favorite starts anywhere. Played it in a sustained 50 mph wind once and it was something I'll never forgot. Unfortunately, we had to quit mid way through the back nine because the balls wouldn't stay on the greens.

Mike on May 3, 2018

Old Mac is definitely the star of BD. It could host a US Open. The rest of the courses are great, but this one is the brute that grows on you the more you play it.

Post a Comment

All fields required, unless otherwise noted.

Your name

Comment *

CAPTCHA

The purpose of the math question below is to prevent automated spam submissions. We apologize for any inconvenience.